Prices for working sheepdogs hit 9,200gns (£9,660) at a sale in Yorkshire which featured a strong contingent of Welsh vendors and buyers.

Setting the pace at Skipton’s spring sale was Moss, a 17-month-old black-and-white dog who lived up to her hype on social media when fetching 9,200gns (£9,660) for Irish farmers Brian White and Aoife Smith.

The price was the second highest price ever seen at Skipton, bettered only by the world record price of 14,100gns (£14,805) set at the same venue last year by Cap, a 16-month-old dog also bred in Ireland.

Sired by Ricky Hutchinson’s Sweep, an International reserve supreme champion, Moss is out of the couple’s own bitch Malta Gwen.

He was knocked down to fellow Irish farmer Pat Byrne, County Roscommon.

“It’s brilliant, but I felt under real pressure when taking to the trials field, as Moss had been the subject of such widespread interest,” said Brian.